San Antonio Highlights

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San Antonio is one of Texas’s most visited cities and home to several of its most popular attractions. An inexpensive bus line called VIA Vistas (+1 210 227 2020) takes in most of the cultural high spots in two big loops that intersect at the Alamo (300 Alamo Plaza. +1 210 225 1391). Known as the “Cradle of Texas Liberty,” the Alamo was the site of a 13-day siege by thousands of Mexican troops in 1836; 189 Texan volunteers died defending it. A block away is the number two attraction, River Walk, a modern park trail 20 feet [6.1 meters] below street level that follows the San Antonio River several miles through town. Along with trees and tropical foliage are hotels, restaurants, shops, and cafés. Riverboat taxis and cruises are available. CONTINUED

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The San Antonio River winds through downtown.

Photograph © D. Boone/Corbis

To the north, the San Antonio Museum of Art (200 W.Jones Ave. +1 210 978 8100. Adm. fee) specializes in the art ofthe Americas. The Zoological Gardens and Aquarium(3903 N. St. Mary's St. +1 210 734 7183. Adm. fee) is sobreathtaking in its collection of animals that it has become abit cramped in its old limestone quarry. The lovely JapaneseTea Gardens (3835 N. St. Mary’s St. +1 210 734 0816) arenext door. The San Antonio Botanical Gardens (555Funston Pl. +1 210 821 5115. Closed Mon.; Adm. fee), a few busstops away, also has wonderful gardens and a stunningconservatory.

Mission Concepcion was built as a precaution against the threat of French incursion from Louisiana.

Photograph © Morton Beebe/Corbis

The Witte Museum (3801 Broadway. +1 210 820 2111. Adm.fee) exhibits prehistoric Texas artifacts and the state’secology. Next door, at Pioneer Hall (3805 Broadway.+1 210 822 9011. Closed Mon., also Tues. Sept.-April; Adm.fee), you’ll find displays of Wild West memorabilia. Back onAlamo Plaza, the glitzier Cowboy Museum (+1 210 229 1257.Adm. fee) focuses on the same period but includes are-created Western town.
The Alamo was only one of several Spanish missions founded onthe San Antonio River. Four others are now part of the SanAntonio Missions National Historical Park(+1 210 229 5701) along the Mission Trail. The VIA Vistasbus line connects them.